Hellwig was subjected to a three day suspension after Plainfield Police Sgt. Frederick Walz filed a July 27 report stating that he and Capt. S. Soltys “located a three page printed email” that was left behind in a vehicle last used by Hellwig.

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Based on the addresses and comments in the messages, Walz concluded, “It seems obvious that the Director was soliciting some type of prostitution services from Mr. Taylor via Craigslist.com…”

The alleged prostitute was identified as Jason Taylor, who appears to have arranged a 2 p.m. meeting with Hellwig at 25 Grandview Avenue in North Caldwell on June 18 for an agreed upon price of $80.

Walz said he later confirmed that Hellwig was the last person to use the vehicle, and he was informed by police mechanic Glenn Christiansen that Hellwig drove the Chevy Suburban on June 18, when it “had broken down somewhere in North Jersey requiring that the vehicle be towed back to headquarters.”

In his statement, Walz wrote that he addressed the report to Capt. Edward Santiago, his immediate supervisor, because Lt. G Turner, commander of the Internal Affairs Unit, was on vacation.

Hellwig said he’s looking to move on from the incident after he was put on a three-day suspension last week, although nothing in public reports showed that his offense involved prostitution.

Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs called the suspension “a personnel matter, handled internally,” and even placed some of the blame on investigators who followed police procedure instead of covering up the indiscretion.

“We believe it involves some individual passing documents around they shouldn’t be privy to,” said Robinson-Briggs, who tried to hush up the matter and even failed to notify all police personnel about Hellwig’s suspension.

Hellwig generated controversy within police ranks when he recommended to Robinson-Briggs that demoting several top cops could cut the division budget.

Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local No. 19, the chapter representing Plainfield officers, held an “overwhelming” vote of no confidence in Hellwig, citing a perceived lack of faith in the director’s ability to effectively manage the division, according to PBA President Andre Crawford.

Hellwig, Robinson-Briggs, City Administrator Bibi Taylor and Dan Williamson, the city lawyer, could not be reached for comment.